Why were Swansea unopposed to sign Wilfried Bony?

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The 2013/14 season started early for Capital One Cup winners Swansea City. Following the cup win last season, they were drafted in to the Europa League as per the rule, and had to subsequently play a qualifying match against Swedish outfit Malmo FF.

Summer signing Wilfried Bony started alongside last season’s signing of the campaign, Miguel Michu.

The pair showed glimpses of a partnership to come in the Premier League. Linking up well at times, and seemingly being on the same wavelength when on the ball.

Swansea City went on to convincingly win the game 4-0, but the star performer was Wilfried Bony – who grabbed a brace and an assist.

The perfect way to start life as a Swansea player, but following the final whistle, many people started to think how a proven European goalscorer was brought to the Liberty Stadium after being so heavily coveted by a number of top sides in the world.

Last season, Bony’s status rose after scoring 31 goals in 30 games for former side Vitesse. As expected, every side who admitted being in the market for a striker were linked with the Ivory Coast international. However, Swansea didn’t emerge the favourites for his signature until moments before he was confirmed.

Only 24 years of age, Bony fits the bill perfectly for a number of sides. Cut from the same cloth as heavy weight Didier Drogba, and he promises to have an exciting future ahead of him like his Ivorian counterpart.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham have all been looking for a proven goalscorer for next season, but all passed on the idea of Bony. Costing Swansea only £12M, he could prove to be a potential bargain.

He’s big, strong, fast, a clinical finisher, good in the air, has great off-the-ball movement, plays with the ball at his feet, and can hold it up well – Bony is a complete forward, and one a lot of clubs will rue missing out on.

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